IBM and Samsung jointly announced a collaboration on basic research into semiconductors.

The two tech giants say they will jointly develop new semiconductor process technology that can be used in a broad range of applications including smartphone handsets. The Albany, N.Y. Nanotech Complex is the official site of this collaboration between Samsung's and IBM's scientists. The joint team will be looking for new materials and transistor structures, as well as innovative interconnect and packaging solutions for next-generation technology nodes.

We are pleased to have our top-level scientists involved with the cutting-edge research that's taking place at the Albany Nanotech Center, ES Jung, senior vice president of technology development, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics, said in a statement. This should further enhance our joint efforts to continue technology leadership well into the future.

The technology will not only be used in mobile computing, but also in high performance applications as well. IBM and Samsung say the next generation of mobile devices will require semiconductor breakthroughs to keep pace with user expectation and device capabilities.

Collaborative innovation will be critical if the semiconductor industry is to continue driving new forms of consumer electronics and new methods of computing, Michael Cadigan, general manager, IBM Microelectronics, said in a statement. That's why we're excited to have Samsung scientists working with us at the most fundamental stages of the R&D process.

The two companies plan to develop multiple nodes starting at 20 nanometers. Recently, Intel unveiled its Sandy Bridge processor, which uses 32 nanometer nodes. Smaller nodes allow chips to provide greater performance using less power.

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